Lot 1992

Description

Madras Presidency, in the name of Muhammad Shah (A.H.1131-1161, A.D.1719-1748), silver rupee, impressed with the mint name Arkat and traces of ruler's name, issued with privy mark of a small trisceles with dots either side and below, attributed to Chintadrpetta mint, no regal year or date but issued 1742-1748, (Pr. 134, KM. -). Very fine and very rare.

Ex. Sotheby's London, July 23, 1975 (lot 157). $$ The attribution of this piece was unknown to Pridmore, who illustrated an example of Ahmad Shah and not a Muhammad Shah issue. The issue was recognised and this type published by J. Cribb in Seaby Coin and Medal Bulletin August 1978. This specimen is a better example than that published. Also see Biddulph JNSI 1959 VIII, 17. Struck under authority of a grant dated 4th November 1742. first issued from Chintadripetta mint in 1742 and subsequently issued from other mints. When Pridmore wrote Part 4 (India) in 1975, he noted that coins in the name of Muhammad Shah struck and issued during this period 1742-1748 await discovery.